The Fun of the Finger Lakes
When one thinks of Upstate New York, it’s easy to imagine snow, ice and college basketball. But the wonderful area of Finger Lakes is hidden away and hosts a plethora of activities throughout all seasons. Aside from the ski resort and blissful scenery, this patch of land with the distinctive lakes offers something for every woman.
Water Around
The lakes are certainly the most obvious characteristic, but each one has something different. Larger lakes like Seneca Lake and Cayuga Lake are vastly different from other lakes, such as Canandaigua Lake, Skaneateles Lake, and Keuka Lake, even though they all have a similar shape and are studded with wineries and unique restaurants.
Seneca Lake is the deepest one of all, and Keuka Lake has the most unique shape, separating into two prongs of water, looking like a peace sign in the middle of the Southern Tier of New York. Smaller lakes, such as Hemlock Lake and Conesus Lake are more private in usage and help to supply water to the surrounding cities. From the view of an airplane taking off from Rochester or Buffalo, each lake looks like a stick. To those who know the region well, looking at the lakes and guessing which is which is a fun game. For those who are visiting for the first time, finding an opportunity to see the lakes from up above is a must.
A Taste of Wine
The region is best known for its many wineries and the Finger Lakes Wine Trail, which caters to both novice tasters and master sommeliers. One popular winery is the Bully Hill Vineyards Bully Hill Vineyards in Hammondsport, NY, which is right off of the Northern shores of Keuka Lake. The on-site museum offers a peek into the past of the winery and a history of the various wines produced. Some of these popular wines include Chardonnay, Riesling, and various other reds and whites. Bully Hill is able to ship orders to various states, and orders can be placed on their Web site for a little taste test before you arrive or a “refill” after you get home: www.bullyhill.com.
Canandaigua is home to Arbor Mist, the college wine staple that is still familiar to women of all ages. The fruity wine comes in many red and white varieties, such as Pinot Grigio, Sangria, and Chardonnay. Even though this wine isn’t as popular outside of the college set, it’s still refreshing enough to enjoy on a hot summer day while sitting alongside one of Canandaigua Lake’s public beaches. And yes, swimming is allowed in designated locations!
Take a Bite
For food and a great view, consider Ithaca and the many gorgeous gorges that surround the town, home to Ithaca College and Cornell University. Ithaca is where you will also find Moosewood Restaurant, which has been spreading vegetarian happiness for more than thirty years. The restaurant itself is a collective effort, owned by a large group of members who have put their hearts, souls, and cooking efforts into developing the restaurant into a prime dinner destination. The lunch and dinner menus change daily, but every offering is a representation of Moosewood’s devotion to natural and healthful cuisine. Signature dishes include Jerk Tofu, Pecan-Crusted Fish, and their own take on Fried Green Tomatoes, just to name a few. The restaurant does not take reservations, so planning ahead is still necessary in order to make sure that everyone’s needs are met. Moosewood also publishes cookbooks, including the original “Moosewood Cookbook.” These can all be ordered online at www.moosewoodrestaurant.com.
Time to Relax
If a nice relaxing weekend is your idea of a good time, consider the Mirbeau Inn and Spa in Skaneateles, NY. The spa is within walking distance of the village of Skaneateles, which shares its name with a lake that decorates the scenery with amazing taste. Now, the spa is obviously relaxing, considering that the air is moist and soothing, it is so even in the dead of a Central New York winter. The architecture is reminiscent of a small European village, with all the amenities of the country. Popular treatments include facials, manicures and pedicures, massages, and the ever-enticing body wrap with Belgian rose oils. Who could resist? The facilities also boast a fitness center, amazing bathrooms, and a little hot water bottle for those cold nights when a full comforter just isn’t enough. The main dining room is a treat, as is Rosalie’s, an Italian restaurant just off the premises. Mirbeau is definitely an experience to remember, and is essential for any good trip to the Finger Lakes. For more information, visit www.mirbeau.com.
It might be easy to dismiss the Finger Lakes, but there’s so much going on at any given time or season. After all, a region with distinctive wine, food, and herbal wraps is certainly a must-see. Even if the snow is falling outside, here the heat is rising, but not to worry, Seneca Lake won’t be evaporating any time soon.
Shopping for Books: Why Titles Are Weird
Sometimes judging a book by its cover can be a good thing, believe it or not. Pamela Ribon has authored two books with great titles, “Why Girls Are Weird,” published in 2003, and “Why Moms Are Weird,” published in 2006. But the best part about these books goes well beyond their suggestive titles.
Ribon is funny and uses her sense of humor to create real characters in real (albeit slightly wacky) situations. Instead of writing two books where the title overshadows the actual plot, the books require a bit of intelligence in order to fully enjoy what is going on. The humorous situations are the biggest selling points of the books, but there is much more than meets the flap copy on the back of the books, which is enough reason to read the books in the first place, of course.
In “Why Girls Are Weird,” the main character, twentysomething Anna Koval, is more interested in passing the time at her library job in Austin, Texas than actually doing work. This is certainly relatable; who hasn’t felt bored at times while working? Luckily for the readers, Ribon stays away from having Anna act as an airhead, or a typical chick-lit heroine. Instead, Anna learns HTML and sets up a Web site featuring a personal journal starring an alias of herself, “Anna K,” whose life is just a touch more exciting than Anna’s. It’s almost not even a big deal that Anna K has an amazing boyfriend named Ian, who just happened to break up with Anna not too long ago. Of course, the real question here for Anna is something along the lines of “no one will actually read this, right?” Luckily for Anna (and Anna K), there are some fans that are genuinely interested in what she has to say on a daily basis.
It’s intriguing that the titles of Ribon’s two books “match,” but the subjects couldn’t be further apart if they tried. Normally, when an author links two similar titles for her books, it spells out a potentially cutesy franchise able to be turned into a superficial movie. However, this is definitely not the case for Ribon; “Why Moms Are Weird” has nothing to do “Why Girls Are Weird,” other than the fact that both books are hysterical, witty, and feature some of the most realistic characters in recent fiction. It’s one thing to write one book accomplishing this, but two books shows off Ribon’s talent.
“Why Moms Are Weird” is one of those books where we feel as though the answer lies in the first few chapters of the novel. Luckily, since the chapters are so short, none of the major secrets are given away too soon. It’s easy to feel a sense of kinship with main character Belinda “Benny” Bernstein.
Benny lives in Los Angeles and seems to have an independent life (which she recently “got in order”). However, her previous life in Virginia rears its ugly head when Benny’s mother and sister are in a car accident and it’s up to Benny to make sure everything is all right. Here’s the fun catch — her mother didn’t ask her to come and help out, but Benny goes. What she finds is humorous and, in some cases, relatable (including her mother’s promiscuity, which is a little much for Benny to handle in one sitting). It’s refreshing to see a girl in a book who thinks of others before she thinks of her shoe collection. In fact, Benny doesn’t even mention designer shoes at the drop of a hat. Ribon succeeds in creating characters who could easily be real people, instead of just caricatures.
Bottom line: These books are worth more than just a passing glance on the paperback table at every bookstore, perusing their fun covers. If you want to read a book and use intelligence and laugh at the same time, Pamela Ribon is your author of choice. The best part is that the titles do deliver, and ultimately, it’s easy to see why girls and mothers alike are very weird indeed.
The Beauty of Renoir in America
It’s a great day when a huge collection of art by an extremely famous artist comes for a visit to an American museum. This year, art fans and novices alike have the chance to see an exhibit of art from Pierre Renoir, the famous French impressionist who was known for his innovative style.
Renoir, known for his beautiful figures, including a portrait of a girl that made its way onto an episode of “Gilmore Girls” back in 2003, also created a collection of well known and adored landscapes. On October 4, 2007, several of those landscapes will debut at the Philadelphia Museum of Art for its only American exhibition this year. The collection will be available for viewing until January 6, 2008.
Renoir’s landscapes are perfect examples of what the Impressionist period was all about. Like Monet’s work, many of the paintings look amazing from far away, and close up it looks as though the paint just blends together.
Since this exhibit is so unique, it is important to highlight just what is coming to the Philadelphia Museum of Art this fall. The paintings are from Renoir’s first 30 years of painting, and explore nature, light and the beauty of the French countryside.
Even though the word “landscape” traditionally refers to land without people, these landscapes come to life with a few bystanders here and there in Renoir’s work. One such example is The Grands Boulevards, painted in 1875. The image, which is oil on canvas, would not be complete without the people in the background. Renoir’s work proves “landscape” is a much more broad concept than originally thought.
The exhibit highlights four specific themes throughout its tenure at the museum. These themes include Gardens, Cityscapes, Figures in the Landscape, and Travel and Landscape. The themes are somewhat self-explanatory but the paintings are all encompassing. A classic example of Renoir’s Garden-themed paintings is Claude Monet Painting in His Garden at Argenteuil, from 1873. The garden represents serenity, nature, an oasis from the urban jungles of Europe and even reflects one of Renoir’s favorite activities.
The Cityscapes mostly reflect Paris, and 1875′s Place St-Georges is no exception to this rule. Many of Renoir’s early city paintings showcase the evolution of Paris, which was constantly changing and growing throughout his career.
Similar to the Gardens and the Cityscapes, the collection of Figures in the Landscape combines the visual world around Renoir with the beauty of what cannot always be seen right away. Luncheon at La Fournaise, also painted in 1875, is almost timeless with three lunch patrons and the lush garden behind them. It’s easy to notice the background because the colors are bright and serene. The colors are also noticeable in View of Naples, Morning, an 1881 example of Travel and Landscape. The sky has never been a more pastel shade of blue, and Renoir captured this morning in an innovative and experimental way. The Travel and Landscape paintings are often considered to be some of Renoir’s more intriguing pieces throughout his career.
These exhibits are often once in a lifetime, especially Renoir, and should not be missed. Philadelphia is a unique, historical city on its own. Coupled with this extraordinary exhibit, it is worth a visit to take it all in.
For tickets to Renoir, call 215.235.SHOW during regular business hours (9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.) or visit www.philamuseum.org.
Niagara Falls’ Fun
Sometimes it’s hard to believe one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World is so easily accessible. (Of course, it can depend on what part of the country you’re in …) But overall, Niagara Falls is located close enough for a day trip for some and a fun long weekend away for others.
The actual waterfall is only one element of a region combining two cities into one exciting destination. Niagara Falls, Ontario, and Niagara Falls, N.Y., are right next to each other on a map (visit here to see the beauty), divided by the Niagara River and in close proximity to Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. Between the two cities, there are certainly enough natural bodies of water to go around!
The actual falls are located deep in the Niagara River, and take up space in both New York and Ontario. On the Canadian side is the Canadian Horseshoe Falls, which are the most recognized image of the falls. There are also the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls, which may not be as large or round in shape, but still pump the same water as the Canadian falls. The visuals are just as stunning as they are on postcards, and are a great backdrop to the two cities.
The Falls were formed during the Ice Age due to the formation of the Great Lakes and the Niagara River. The elevation between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie is about 326 feet, including the Falls. Yes, people have tried to go over the waterfalls in barrels, but the sharp rocks at the bottom, combined with the speed of the flowing river, usually results in disaster. If someone did survive a trip down the river, the sustained injuries would likely be too much for the daredevil in question, which is why tourists should consider the cities instead of going for a steep dive.
Niagara Falls proves the twin cities aren’t just in Minnesota. The two cities of Niagara Falls work together to offer the best of everything in the region. Ontario and New York sit side by side and work together to act as a high quality tourist destination sometimes referred to as the “Canadian Las Vegas.” Yes, that can also include New York because one city is enriched by the other! Between the stores, the restaurants, the clubs and the water, there is always something to do on either side.
For girls who are into gambling, the Seneca Niagara Casino in New York and Casino Niagara and Fallsview Casino in Ontario offer plenty of tables and chips. Seneca Niagara, located in the former Niagara Falls convention center, is one of the more recent attractions added to Western New York and offers plenty of games and a large buffet for those who prefer to gamble on the various offerings on the dessert table. In Ontario, newly minted 19-year-olds can gamble and drink legally at Casino Niagara and Fallsview, which are both located in the lively Clifton Hill district and offer plenty of slots, tables, and more.
If shopping is the number one priority, each side has enough outlets to satisfy any customer’s needs. New York plays host to Fashion Outlets Niagara, which offers enough stores ranging from Old Navy to Burberry and back again, and is located right off of the major highways. In Ontario, the Lundy’s Lane neighborhood offers Canada One Factory Outlet Mall. This collection of stores is excellent, including the Canadian staple Roots and an Escada outlet.
The two cities are even close enough to visit other metropolitan areas. Both Toronto, ON, and Buffalo, NY, are within driving distance from Niagara Falls. The Niagara Frontier region offers four distinct cities, two of which happen to share the same name, but easy to visit within the course of a weekend. For those who are lucky enough to spend a long weekend in the region, it is possible to travel from Toronto to Niagara Falls, ON, to Niagara Falls, NY, to Buffalo and then back again. It’s possible to see each of the cities from the top of the CN Tower in Toronto, and the Skylon Tower provides a direct view of the Horseshoe Falls in Ontario. For a true experience of a waterfall, the Maid of the Mist offers cruises going directly under the Falls themselves, and yes, you will get wet.
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